The lonely house

"The Lonely House" by Marie Belloc Lowndes is a novel about Lily Fairfield, an English girl who seeks a fresh start with distant relatives, Count and Countess Polda, in Monaco after her aunt's death. Leaving her sheltered life behind, Lily arrives at their villa, La Solitude, hoping for a new beginning, but is burdened by past traumas. Although the French Riviera villa is picturesque, Lily finds it isolating. Her initial enthusiasm fades as she experiences an eerie atmosphere, strange occurrences, and unsettling interactions with the household staff and her relatives. As the story builds, it becomes clear that Lily's arrival at La Solitude is more than it appears, setting the stage for intrigue and suspense.